Following a move from SE London to Cliftonville - in Margate - here is a daily photographic record of my personal observations during a year spent in or around the Isle of Thanet and Kent. (March 2008).

DAYS 61 - 120

DAY 120 - GRAFFITI:

A sentiment written in chalk below the cliffs at Walpole Bay.

DAY 118 - WHITSTABLE OYSTER FESTIVAL:

A nine-day festival, held annually, "celebrating the unique identity and cultural heritage of Whitstable, its industry and its people. From the Landing of the Oysters and the Oyster Parade on the opening day to Harbour Day (28 July), the festival has a packed programme of activities and events for the whole family, with music, arts, entertainment, coastal walks and cycle rides, and many opportunities to sample the culinary delights from the best of local produce...including oysters!"

DAY 116 - SAND MARTINS:

(Riparia Riparia) The Sand Martin is the smallest and most lightly built member of the Hirundines family (martins and swallows) and the only one which doesn't build a nest. They are summer visitors from Northern Africa and are agile fliers, feeding mainly over water, being gregarious in the breeding season and winter.

DAY 115 - OLDTOWN RESTAURANT SAMPLER:

More LATE AND LIVE events on the Piazza with The Indian Princess Restaurant offering samples from its menu while on-stage James Grant sings to a gathered crowd enjoying another glorious sunset.

DAY 114 - CECIL SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH:

"A Baptist church was started at the Shallows, between Margate and St. Peters, in 1762. Later an outreach was made to the town of Margate, meeting in the High Street then Love Lane. In 1800 the Shallows divided into two separate churches. The Margate Church grew rapidly and, in 1815, moved into a new building in New Street, called Ebenezer Chapel. This is the sanctuary used today. In 1899 the building was extended into Cecil Square, and the Church became known as Cecil Square Baptist Church."

DAY 113 - TENET - TANE'TUS - TOLIANUS - THANET:

The name "Tenet" was listed in the Domesday book of 1086, whereas in the 18th century classical dictionary of John Lemprise it is states "Tane'tus, a small island of Albion. Ptolemy calls it Tolianis. It is now Thanet."
The word Tanatus may come from the Celtic work "teine", meaning "fire" or "bonfire" and "arth" meaning "height" and would make Thanet the Bright Island. It could well be that a lighthouse or beacon was situated on Telegraph Hill, west of Manston, one of the highest points on the island. There isn't any evidence of this on the ground, and it may have been that there were several beacons arranged along the coast and here on the green of Fort Hill is a replica of "a Saxon fire beacon - a form of warning of invasion."

DAY 112 - 'THE HUGIN' - REPLICA VIKING SHIP:

This wooden craft was sailed from Denmark in 1949 by 53 Danes to commemorate the 1500th arrival of the legendary Hengist and his brother Horsa, two Saxon chieftains, who landed at nearby Ebbsfleet. The 'Hugin' first landed at Viking Bay, Broadstairs, Kent before being placed on permanent display just off the main road to the West of Pegwell Bay. There is little evidence of Viking ships in the 5th century and Hugin is based on a later Viking design of a longship.

DAY 111 - THE BIG SKY JAZZ FESTIVAL:

Punters on The Piazza enjoy free "top class" jazz performed by BILLY JENKIN'S SONGS OF PRAISE that is one of more than twenty shows at various local venues over seventeen days - all presented by Margate's Town Partnership. This Sunday's five acts were accompanied by much food and drink (provided by MATCHROOM, THE FRONT HARBOUR LOUNGE AND BAR, BARNACLES FREE HOUSE, THE HARBOUR CAFE BAR, PETERS FISH FACTORY, ROUGE & IMPRESSIONS)
and sunshine.

DAY 110 - SUN & SAND:

Margate's main beach on a sunny Saturday.

DAY 109 - SUNSET ALONG THE PARADE:

The 'LATE AND LIVE' event - (See DAY 88) - saw this sunset across the Harbour.

DAY 108 - ART DECO FUNICULAR LIFT:

This refurbished lift, now open for the summer season, links The Promenade to the beach at Walpole Bay.

DAY 107 - VIKING BAY:

The sands at Broadstairs with Pier and Dickens' Bleak House above it.

DAY 106 - THANET COLLEGE:

"Thanet College takes pride in being the number one local provider of training and further education in addition to being a Centre of Vocational Excellence in Catering and Hospitality. They are able to offer an extensive range of full, part time, distance learning and community based courses as well as being experienced Corporate Trainers. Based in Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs, they also offer flexible quality training for all ages and backgrounds and even offer courses in the heart of the local community."www.thanet.ac.uk

DAY 105 - TOUR DE FRANCE:

The Tour de France is the biggest annual sporting event in the world rivalling even the World Cup and the Olympic Games - and it's free to watch! Stage one of the 2007 race here speeds along the B2068 passed Upper Hardres Wood.

DAY 104 - FROM HERNE BAY TO RECULVER:

The beach alongside the sandstone and London clay cliffs leading from Herne Bay to the towers of the Reculver Saxon Church and Roman Fort. Reculver Bay once marked the entrance to the Wantsum Channel that defined the Isle of Thanet and the RAF used the waters of Reculver Bay to test the 'bouncing bomb' designed by Barnes Wallis during 1942 & 3.

DAY 103 - HIGH TIDE ACROSS WALPOLE BAY:

High tide covers over the Bathing Pool. (See DAYS 32 & 89).

DAY 102 - BENSON'S FUNFAIR:

The travelling entertainment arrives at The Rendezvous for a brief season.

DAY 101 - DAPERS MILL:

A black smock mill built in 1845 by John Holman of Canterbury was powered by wind until 1916 and by gas until 1933 after which it was restored to working order by the Draper's Mill Trust between 1965 and 1975. The machinery for working 1 pair of stones has been restored and a small museum is being developed. Found at Saint Peter's Footpath in Margate.

DAY 100 - THE LIDO CHIMNEY:

Located at the end of Ethelbert Road under a very stormy sky. (see DAY 37).

DAY 99 - TWIN DRAGONS RESTAURANT:

A Chinese take away and restaurant at 257 Northdown Road offering free delivery and an 'Eat As Much As You Like' menu. The Stir Fried Mixed Vegetable in Chilli Sauce, Shanghai Duck and Egg Fried Rice from the A La Carte menu was served in huge portions.

DAY 98 - SPORT MATTERS & RAFT RACE:

Margate Main Sands hosts 'Sport on the Sand' with beach soccer and volley ball while the Margate Raft Race 2007 enters the harbour.

DAY 97 - SMOKING BAN:

"Like it or not, England is following the rest of the UK with a smoking ban. Smoking will be banned in all public indoor spaces on 1 July, 2007. The England smoking ban follows similar decisions made in several parts of Europe, the USA and Scotland, Wales and Ireland. If you're a smoker in protest over the English ban, count your lucky stars you don't live in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, where the sale and use of tobacco is completely outlawed".
Those in charge of the premises could face a 2,500 pounds fine if they fail to stop you. They could also be charged on-the-spot fines of 200 ponds if they fail to display no-smoking signs.

DAY 96 - THE BROWN JUG INN:

On the Thanet Loop route at 204 Ramsgate Road in Broadstairs this Thorley Tavern owned pub was Thanet CAMRA pub of the Year 2001. "It has shuttered, leaded windows and a flint facade that dates back to 1795 when it was called the Queens Arms Tap, though the building is said to be much older. Its current name was mentioned on documents in 1814, when it is reputed to have been used as an officer's billet". With outside toilets and several active and successful petanque teams it sells OLDE TRIP (Hardys & Hansons bitter) and IPA (Greene King) ales.

DAY 95 - TRINITY SQUARE WAR MEMORIALS:

Landscaped gardens and carved stones commemorate "those of the town that lost their lives during 1939 -1945", "the safe landing at Margate of over 46,000 members of the armed forces from Dunkirk in 1940", "the thousands of the Combined Allied Forces who lost their lives during the invasion of Western Europe on the 6th of June 1944" and "the memory of the Fallen comrades of the Isle of Thanet Branch (Burma Star Association).

DAY 94 - TY 8:

A restaurant and take away service serving modern Asian, Thai and Malaysian cuisine at 38 Northdown Road. The Chap Choi in Black Bean Sauce, Tau Kwok, Heung Lat and Coconut Rice was delicious.

DAY 93 - WINDY & CHOPPY:

A strong wind whips up a high tide below Hodges Gap.

DAY 92 - HERBS GARDEN & HEALTH:

Established for five years at 27 North Down Road in St. Peters this outlet supplies organic veg boxes, organic and vegetarian foodstuffs, wholesome remedies for ailments and it has a therapy room at the back.

DAY 90 - PAPP'S FISH AND CHIPS:

Long established family run restaurant in Grosvenor place where, arguably, Margate's best fish & chips takeaway can be found.

DAY 89 - BATHING SEASON BEGINS:

A supervision hut is delivered to the Cliftonville Bathing Pool in Walpole Bay. (See DAY 32).

DAY 88 - (FREE EVENTS) LATE AND LIVE:

The first of the Oldtown restaurant samplers in the Plazza with world cuisine and wine tasting together with light entertainment. Heather from the Front Harbour Lounge serves Guinness punch, beet-root punch, saltfish patties with dips and glorious barbecued jerk chicken kebabs.

DAY 87 - LETTERED ROCK:

Mint rock found in Woolworths with "Cliftonville" written through it. (Made in Scarborough).

DAY 86 - ISLE OF THANET (MAP c.1850):

A detailed Victorian map of NE Kent. The map is decorated with a title banner, two coats of arms and vignette views of Ramsgate Harbour and the North Foreland Lighthouse.

DAY 84 - MINSTER OPEN GARDENS:

A weekend of open gardens courtesy of some residents of the village of Minster. Eighteen gardens, refreshments, lunches and stalls for Â£3.00 per person. Proceeds in aid of St. Mary's Church Fabric Fund.

DAY 83 - RAF RED ARROWS DISPLAY:

Day one of Margate's Big Event with the conclusion of the flying programme. Also featured over the weekend are the Freefall Tigers, a Tucano, the RAF Falcons parachute jump and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The whole event is free including a free bus shuttle from the station and Saturday ends with a spectacular firework display.

DAY 82 - MARGATE'S BIG EVENT:

On the cliff tops overlooking Palm Bay preparations underway for the two day week end programme of live music, flying displays, exhibitions, refreshments, walkabout acts, demonstrations and fairground attractions.

DAY 81 - THE BLUES GRILL BAR & RESTAURANT:

A themed restaurant in the Malvern Hotel on Eastern Esplanade.

DAY 80 - FLORAL DISPLAYS IN NORTHDOWN ROAD:

Posts and hanging baskets funded by The Thanet District Council Renewal Team together with the Environmental Action Programme and the floral displays are funded by members of the Cliftonville Partnership together with the Safer Stronger Communities Fund.

DAY 79 - NORTH FORELAND GOLF CLUB:

Established in 1903 North Foreland Golf Club in Broadstairs is situated on the Kent coast at the point where the English Channel becomes the North Sea seen here overlooking Kingsgate Castle. It is a cliff top downland course with a view of the sea from every tee and every green and being a free running chalk-based course it is used all-year-round. Originally a nine hole course it was expanded when Lord Northcliffe bought additional land in 1912 and employed Fowler & Simpson to design the full 18.
http://www.northforeland.co.uk

DAY 78 - GODWIN ROAD:

These beautiful pink poppies growing up from the edge of the pavement.

DAY 75 - QUART IN A PINT POT:

DAY 74 - MARGATE LIFEBOAT HOUSE:

The history of the Lifeboat station in Margate harbour dates back to 1864. It houses the Mersey class offshore lifeboat & the D class inshore lifeboat. There are also exhibits & service boards.

DAY 73 - DALBY SQUARE:

With Thanet Council funding this splendid square in West Cliftonville has been regenerated.

DAY 72 - DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI:

D.G. Rossetti is buried in the Parish Church in Birchington just three miles West of Margate. His gravestone is a large celtic cross made by his old friend Ford Madox Brown. (Inside the church there is a stained glass window commemorating the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood designed by Frederic Shields and was based on one of Rossetti's own paintings). The painter and poet was born in 1828 and spent the last few months of his life in Westcliff Bungalow in Birchington where he went to convalesce following a seizure which left him partially paralysed. He was in severe debt when he died and his funeral was paid for by his immediate family.

DAY 71 - DROIT HOUSE:

The name of the building is a reflection of its previous existence, namely as a customs house working under the motto 'Dieu et mon droit' - God and my duty.
"The Grade II listed building overlooking Margate harbour was restored using Â£220,000 of the European Fund's Objective 2 programme and is now an art gallery and visitor centre for the proposed Turner Contemporary building. Appropriately, Droit House was a prominent building during the 20 years that Turner lived in Margate, and it remains a key part of the proposed Turner Contemporary project as it evolves".

DAY 69 - THANET INDOOR BOWLS CENTRE:

DAY 68 - ROCK & WEED:

Looking West across Walpole Bay.

DAY 67 - St. GEORGE'S LAWNS:

Along Eastern Parade are the Bowling Greens open May to October.

DAY 66 - MARGATE PUBLIC LIBRARY:

The lending library and resource center has now temporarily relocated to the old Marks and Spencer building in the High Street while work to transform the current library building in Cecil Square is carried out.

DAY 65 - THE TOM THUMB THEATRE:

This is one of the world's smallest theatres and was built as a coach house in 1896 on Eastern Esplanade. The property was converted back to a theatre from a double garage in 1984 and it now has the smallest stage of any public theatre in the world measuring 7ft x 10ft. No microphones are used.

DAY 64 - R.A.F. MANSTON (1):

Only 5 miles due South of Margate is Manston which started its aviation days as a Royal Naval Station in 1916, with a base at Westgate Bay for seaplanes. The early airfield was on the area now occupied by the passenger terminal of the civilian airport called London Manston. By 1917 Manston airfield had grown to include four underground hangars, its own railway line to Birchington, a power station to generate electricity, barracks for 3,000 men and even an indoor swimming pool.1940 and WW2 brought the Battle of Britain and Barnes Wallis arrived in 1943 to test his bouncing bomb at nearby Reculver before the Dam busters carried out their famous raid. R.A.F. Manston closed on the 31 March 1999 but a History Museum can be visited (adults Â£1.00).

DAY 64 - R.A.F. MANSTON (2):

Alongside the Manston History Museum is a Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial.
http://www.rafmanston.co.uk

DAY 62 - BANK HOLIDAY SATURDAY:

A quiet and chilly start at Kiddies Corner on the beach under an overcast and threatening sky.

DAY 61 - MEGA BREAKFAST:

The Dalby Cafe in Dalby Road offers a Mega Breakfast for Â£8.80. Those customers who order it join the cafe's hall of fame and if the meal is eaten in under 20 minutes it comes free of charge.